M-Dog

May 30th, 2015 at 7:32 AM ^

It was a tough win, despite the score.  It was a one run game into the 6th.

They won it on depth.  Betsa was done in the first.  The top of the order was not hitting.  And yet, others stepped up . . . Wagner, the bottom of the order, just about everyone else.

And that's how you win championships . . . when your stars are nowhere to be found and you still win by 6 runs. 

rob f

May 30th, 2015 at 10:07 AM ^

the hittings and runs all seemed to come from the bottom 2/3 of the order, everyone on the team contributed big when it counted.  Both Sierras had huge plays defensively.  Two in particular that stand out were Romo's sprinting catch of a foul ball behind 1st base AND the fact she did it while putting herself in perfect throwing position, keeping the runner already on base from advancing. 

Even bigger was that diving catch by Silo in CF to end the UCLA 6th.  She misses that ball then the runner on 2nd scores easily to make it 7-5 and the hitter gets at least to 3rd.  That play instead kept our lead at 3---and against a team that can hit like the Bruins (didn't they say during the broadcast that UCLA had the highest team BA in softball this season?), you don't want them going into the last inning within striking distance!

M-Dog

May 30th, 2015 at 11:16 AM ^

Yes, good point.  It's not just team depth, but also individual player depth.  

Even though they were not hitting well, the Sierras had other strengths to go to to help the team.  And Wagner had a couple of good hits.  They are not one-dimensional players.

And in fairness to Romo, some of her non-hits were tactical decisions for the good of the team (which worked out) - a bunt to advance the runner and a sac fly to the opposite field to score a run. 

Wolverine Devotee

May 30th, 2015 at 1:10 AM ^

Honestly, what fools.

Anyone who has watched this team this year knows that they play the whole game and come back.

It didn't even phase this team tonight, going down 3-0. 

I'd like for that not to happen again, but as you climb a mountain, it's not going to get easier as you climb. We're that much closer to the summit.

M-Dog

May 30th, 2015 at 8:39 AM ^

Was that ever a good idea to give pickaxes to testosterone-filled adolescents who assault each other in a violent game? 

I wonder if there were any "incidents" we never heard about?

 

Ty Butterfield

May 30th, 2015 at 1:07 AM ^

Wow. What a game. Awesome job ladies!!! Huge to stay out of the losers bracket.

Wolverine Devotee

May 30th, 2015 at 1:13 AM ^

Great win and great way to overcome the early obstacles on this climb of the mountain. The higher you get, the thinner the air gets and the more difficult it gets.

Hutch literally just said in the postgame press conference "we haven't won anything. We've won a day off".

One pitch softball. 

Only one Michigan Softball game on Sunday, please!